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Category: Spring time

We are heading into the weekend with promises of sunshine and temps into the 70s. For those that will be visiting our area, it’s the perfect time to get out to one of our state parks and enjoy a nice hike. Although we are always eager to get our guests to see Swallow Falls State Park as it is one of “must see” spotlights (housing the largest waterfall in the state of Maryland), we also highly recommend Deep Creek State Park as well. You can stop in their office, located across from the Deep Creek Discovery Center, http://www.discoverycenterdcl.com/home_-_about_usand pick up a trail guide but they have trails for those that are just looking for an easy walk to those looking for something more challenging! Regardless of where you choose to go, outside seems like an awesome idea after such a long winter!

Dutch’s Dining Room

Today we want to give a shout out to one of our favorite local restaurants, Dutch’s at Silver Tree. Offering lakefront dining and gourmet style food, it’s definitely the kind of place that you want to go if you are celebrating something special with family and friends. Beautifully decorated throughout, the restaurant definitely has a warm and cozy feel. The main dining area showcases a massive stone fireplace while the vibrant hues of colors in the bar area create a lively atmosphere. I met with Stephanie, one of the main gals that helps run the show, and she was kind enough to give me the grand tour. This included heading to the banquet dining area located in the lower level. It would make a wonderful place for a wedding reception or family gathering of some sort. While the lakefront dining is certainly an appealing concept, the food is definitely another. The crab cakes are often a recommended selection by locals and visitors alike while the sandwiches on the lunch menu are widely known “huge” and overly filling. Next time that you are in the area, I highly recommend that you stop in and give Dutch’s at Silver Tree a try.

Dutch’s Bar Area

Need a relaxing weekend away? Give us a call here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales (1-866-351-1119 or online www.deepcreekvacations.com) and let us help you plan your next mountain getaway. We are now offering fantastic Spring & Summer discounts so call now to take advantage. We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #taylormadedeepcreekvacations #springtime

It has been a little easier these past few days to #thinkspring since we are finally beginning to see some warmer temperatures here in our Maryland Mountains. March definitely came roaring in like a lion as just last week we were hit with another big snowstorm. Today, however, is nothing but bright blue skies and a high of 40°+, it feels like a tropical paradise (okay, so that may be a slight exaggeration but compared to those negative temps, we will happily take it & enjoy!)I recently had an opportunity to make a few stops in Accident Maryland, a small town just a short 10 minute drive from Deep Creek Lake and one that many visiting us pass through on their way in or out of McHenry. If you haven’t been there ever or in a while, I recommend checking it out. For those history buffs, a must see stop at the historical Drane House which is thought to be the oldest standing structure in Garrett County and a key part of our Western Maryland heritage is needed. It holds significant importance due to its architectural significance that used a unique combination of log and frame structure techniques. It is suggested that you go onto their website to check time for tours of this wonderful old home. http://www.accidentmd.org/accidentmd/AroundTheTown/TheDraneHouse/tabid/62/Default.aspx.

Goodies from Firefly Farms

Your next stop is Firefly Farms off of Main Street. Here you can taste and buy their award winning goat cheeses most of which are made on-site. Artfully handcrafted and aged to precise perfection, many of Firefly’s cheeses have won numerous national and international cheese awards. The shop also features many types of wine and specialty items, basically everything you need to host a small gathering with friends or family. My personal recommendation is for the Black & Bleu goat cheese which offers a buttery and dense texture with a creamy robust flavor. Not sure which one to choose? They are very generous is allowing their patrons to taste the different varieties and then offer stellar advice on which pairs best with which wines and specialty food items. Trust me, you want to stop here. Don’t feel like cooking but in the mood for a good old fashioned home cooked meal? Annie’s Kitchen Country Restaurant serves everything from enormous portions of subs and sandwiches to bakery items, breakfast served all day and so much more. A warm and cozy atmosphere, this relaxing little diner is well worth the stop and very friendly on the wallet. http://www.annieskitchenrestaurant.com/

Blue Skies & Sunshine

Next time you are heading to Deep Creek Lake, don’t forget to check out these true gems on your way in or while you are here. In the meantime, Wisp continues to keep the slopes open and the skiing conditions are awesome. We are running some fantastic last minute discounts or are always happy to help you plan your summer getaway. Don’t forget to give us a call here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales (www.deepcreekvacations.comor 1-866-351-1119) and let us help you plan your next Deep Creek stay. We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #westernmaryland #springgetaway #lakelife

As February crawls to a close, we are officially entering that time of year where the zeal for winter is just about over and need for spring is here. Record snowfalls have been hitting the East Coast for a while now. People are jumping out of windows into snow banks (those crazy Bostonians) and now that all the major winter festivals and holidays are over, it just seems like time to move on. What better way to ward off the winter woes than to plan a spring getaway. Somewhere fun. Somewhere fresh. Somewhere like Deep Creek Lake. If you have not experienced spring in the mountains then I highly recommend that you put this on your Must Do list! Whether you are witnessing the lake beginning to peak out of the ice or the deer & other wildlife venturing out, you will definitely appreciate the beauty of watching the mountains “spring” to life. “Doesn’t seem like there would be anything to do?” We hear this sometimes and can’t wait to tell our guests how wrong they are! J If you enjoy the outdoors, it is the perfect time to walk and hike through our state parks. Always #1 on that list, of course, is Swallow Falls State Park which houses the largest waterfall in the state of Maryland. Muddy Creek Falls is a crashing 53 feet, a breathtaking sight any time of the year. The main trail that winds down around the falls will also lead you to several smaller waterfalls and some insanely gorgeous photo ops! Many of our state parks also have some great mountain biking trails! Looking for something a little more soothing?

Hole in One!

Fore! Golf, anyone? We have several top notch golf courses here in our area and many of our vacation rental homes are within walking distance or just a short drive away adding to the convenience. Always a great escape for a guy’s weekend away! For the ladies, maybe they just want some time to gather and catch up, check out some our wonderful little shops, plan a massage? Many of our vacation homes are specifically designed with a nice open floor space making gathering with friends fun and easy!

Spring Sunrise!

Call us here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales (1-866-351-1119 or online www.deepcreekvacations.com) and let us know what type of spring getaway you are planning and we would be more than happy to help. Tell us about your group and we will find the perfect home to fit the needs of you and your guests! Don’t forget to ask us about any last minute or spring discounts that we may be running (3 nights for 2 now through the end of April!) In the meantime, for those of you that are visiting us this weekend or in the next several days, enjoy the sunshine! The slopes are freshly groomed and currently the weather is calling for warmer temps and lots of Vitamin D over the weekend. We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #deepcreeklake #springfling #weekendgetaway

The view from the Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales office states that someone clearly shook the snow globe. Our area has been covered in a few inches of fresh snow almost daily this week which makes for awesome outdoor play! I think it would be easy to say that now is the perfect time to visit our area since there is such a wide variety of activities to choose from. Do you just want gather some friends for a weekend away tackling the slopes skiing or snowboarding? Maybe you want to bring the kids and try out that cool mountain coaster or spend the afternoon snow tubing? Snowshoeing, hiking, cross country skiing, ice skating, or just a good old fashioned snowball fight! So many choices! However, now is also a great time to plan that romantic weekend getaway with your special loved one this Spring! Aaahh, spring! Flowers begin to bloom, the grass starts to peak out as the snow begins to melt, wildlife awakens, and love is in the air. (Insert Music Montage!) Actually, our Maryland Mountains are quite beautiful in the spring! Things are a little quieter around Deep Creek then so you can have that quiet, serene escape that is so needed after a long winter. Rates are also lower. True. It’s a good time to take advantage of lower rates and we tend to be more generous with last minute discounts. Imagine whisking your loved one away for a weekend escape (only 2 ½ hours from Pittsburgh; 3 from Washington DC) to the mountains. Spend your afternoons hiking in one of our many state parks (Swallow Falls State Park houses the largest waterfall in the state of Maryland and is absolutely breathtaking throughout the year!) Perhaps you want to spend some time strolling the streets of downtown Oakland which alludes friendly small town charm. Have a quiet romantic dinner at one of our many great restaurants or prepare your own special meal at your vacation home in the fully stocked kitchen. Hmmm… starting to sound like a very nice way to ease into spring, don’t you agree?

Want to vamp it up just a little more? Add our Honeymoon or Romance package to your reservation and we will have it as the home waiting to surprise your loved one when you arrive! The Romance Package (@ $35) gives you a $25 gift certificate to one of our local restaurants, a Specialty Item from Telli’s Deli, 2 Taylor-Made wine glasses, and a free early check in or late check out (If available & sorry, not applicable over the Summer season). The Honeymoon Package steps is up even further (@$55) and also adds 2 movie tickets, flowers, and chocolate truffles! Again, don’t forget that wonderful element of surprise that will definitely kick your weekend off to a wonderful start. Come play today for winter madness or surprise your loved one on Valentine’s Day with the promise of a romantic mountain getaway.

Call today and let us help you plan your next Deep Creek adventure (www.deepcreekvacations.com or 1-866-351-1119)! We can’t wait to see you at the lake! #lovedeepcreek #romanticgetaways #valentinesday #moutainmemories

Ahhh, the sporadic spring season we always seem to have in these beloved Maryland Mountains. I think that this is Mother Nature’s way of always keeping us on our toes. A little bit of snow today and 50° and bright sunshine the following day. Our guests certainly can’t complain as the Wisp Ski Resort is still open and there is still plenty of snow on the mountain. If you have the chance to escape this weekend, I recommend that you do! The Taylor-Made crew just finished up an exciting week by hosting what is the start of several The Big 8 Seminar~ Tomorrow’s Ideas Today. Bringing together eight various companies involved in the vacation rental industry for 2 days of Boot Camp seminars that cover everything from customer service, housekeeping, maintenance, and more. We here at Taylor-Made are firm believers that the best thing we can do for our guests is to stay as educated and current on all things related to our industry. Having the opportunity to network and share ideas with some of the brightest and best in the business is a wonderful chance to do just that. That and it was a lot of fun. If you really want to get into the feel of spring than April is a perfect month to take the family to The Deep Creek Discovery Center. Not only is there various events held there this month but anytime is a good time to go and learn about the natural wonders of our region. This interpretive environmental center allows children to see various types of birds of our region in The Aviary or view various wildlife such as snakes, reptiles, frogs, toads, and more. Hands on exhibits include touching old fossils and looking under a microscope to check out Deep Creek’s under water ecology. If you are visiting over Easter, take the kids there to see the Easter Bunny. Bring along six hardboiled eggs and let the kids learn how to dye the eggs using all natural ingredients. This event is held on April 19th from 10 am- 1 pm. It’s a great family event so if you’re in the area, check it out!

If you’re in need of a little R & R, now is a great time to visit Deep Creek. The lake is quickly thawing and before you know it you will be spotting the early morning fisherman enjoying the serenity of a Deep Creek morning. Spring is a great time to come and enjoy mountain hiking and biking as well since you get to witness the mountains reawakening. If that doesn’t convince you, it’s also a great time to take advantage of our out of season rates on your vacation home. As always, give us a call here at Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations (1-866-351-1119 or online @ www.deepcreekvacations.com) and let us know what you are looking for in the perfect home and we will do our best to match your needs.

Those of us native or local to Garrett County are well aware that we are certainly not, nor likely to become, thought of as a shopping mecca. Everyone knows if it is a shopping mall that you seek then you will head to Morgantown, Uniontown, and Cumberland. So, we are grateful for our small little unique specialty shops that are scattered throughout the area. It is usually at these cool little shops that one is most likely to find over the top customer service and truly unique collectibles! Today I journeyed to downtown Oakland to see what was going on for the day. One of the first stores that caught my attention was a shop called The Painted Cupboard! How I ever missed the store in the past is beyond me! Focusing on primitive country wares, this store is a jackpot for those that love any kind of country deco, candles, signs, beads, flowers, the list is endless! The three little showrooms give you ample room to roam about and check out all of the many different signs, from “Family Gathers Here” to “Man Cave; Enter at your own risk”! You also have a large selection of candles, scented oils, and potpourri to choose from. Sabrina, the proprietor, was very kind and also directed me to another shop they manage, across the road, called The Chic Shack. Truly a woman’s shopping paradise with a large selection of scarves, handbags, and jewelry. They have something for everyone and a great selection if you are looking for a birthday gift for a special friend or even for Mother’s Day! As always, I encourage everyone to check out the downtown area of our county seat. Make a day out of it and hit the historic museum, the antique shops and especially The Painted Cupboard and Chic Shack! I must say, I am a fan! Weather is still looking great and now is the perfect time to call Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations and take advantage of our Stay 3 nights for the Price of 2 Special! In the meantime, we look forward to seeing you at the lake!